From The Independent...
In the next 24 hours, deforestation will release as much CO2 into the atmosphere as 8 million people flying from London to New York. Stopping the loggers is the fastest and cheapest solution to climate change. So why are global leaders turning a blind eye to this crisis?
The accelerating destruction of the rainforests that form a precious cooling band around the Earth’s equator, is now being recognised as one of the main causes of climate change. Carbon emissions from deforestation far outstrip damage caused by planes and automobiles and factories.
The rampant slashing and burning of tropical forests is second only to the energy sector as a source of greenhouses gases according to report published today by the Oxford-based Global Canopy Programme, an alliance of leading rainforest scientists.
Figures from the GCP, summarising the latest findings from the United Nations, and building on estimates contained in the Stern Report, show deforestation accounts for up to 25 per cent of global emissions of heat-trapping gases, while transport and industry account for 14 per cent each; and aviation makes up only 3 per cent of th
I heard some pillock on BBC Radio 4’s otherwise-excellent comedy, The Now Show, on a great rant, the gist of which was “how dare the west criticise China for building a new coal-fired power station every week.”
Well, you know, if I’m going to be recycling my lightbulbs and reading low-energy newspapers to save my 1 gram of carbon, I think it’s pretty fair to put the onus on so-called “developing” countries to do their bit to.
The whole air-travel thing is a big-old ruse for a stealth tax. There was a hole in the coffers. Gordon wanted a billion quid.
Let’s have a new tax – and invent carbon offsetting while we’re at it.
And this guy’s gonna be the new PM…..we’re doomed!
Tags: green
